Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

gynarchy

noun
gynar·​chy
plural -es

Definition of gynarchy 

1 : government by women

2 : a form of social organization among insects (as ants, bees, wasps) in which only the female parent takes part in establishing the colony

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for gynarchy

gyn- + -archy

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about gynarchy

Statistics for gynarchy

Look-up Popularity

Comments on gynarchy

What made you want to look up gynarchy? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

henchman

a trusted follower

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Vocab Quiz

  • the-education-of-achilles-eugne-delacroix
  • Which is a synonym of discomfit?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games